The series of designer interviews intend to shed light on the history and tradition of NIKKOR lenses, as well as reveal the passion and expertise of the designers who strive to achieve the high level of quality and innovation that NIKKOR lenses offer. This is the first in a series of four interviews to be published on the website.

The clips illustrate how NIKKOR technology is enabling artists to push the boundaries with film….to take the possibilities of video imaging even further, and the effects seen in the two films are made possible only with the combination of NIKKOR lenses and Nikon cameras.

“HOPE” by video production company augment5 Inc depicting the inspiring everyday lives of people around the world.

augment5 Inc. is primarily involved in video production and business consulting. While searching for themes for expression, they develop content as a means of understanding universal values in the present age. They are also involved in the production of movies and commercial films for overseas markets.

WOW is a visual design studio with offices in Tokyo, Sendai, and London. They are involved with a wide variety of design work that is not bound by existing media or categories. They continue to pursue new imaging possibilities in order to achieve the social function of visual design while maximizing the unique characteristics and sense of individual creators.

“HOPE” expresses the characteristics of beauty and strength that humans share by following the lives of individuals around the world. This includes a craftsman who works quietly amidst the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong, a woman who works in a tea plantation in Sri Lanka, a fisherman born and raised in a small Norwegian harbour town, and a young dancer who dreams of success in New York. The team spent almost three weeks filming the ordinary, everyday lives of these individuals, and discovered the importance of, and value in, simply living life.http://augment5.com

“TOKYO DENSE FOG” reveals the face of Tokyo through a dense fog and the dispersion of light. Capturing the many faces of Tokyo in a day, the end-result is transformed into a poetic and dreamy landscape swallowed up by a completely white world accompanied with light scattered by countless drops of water floating in the air.http://www.w0w.co.jp

NEWS RELEASE

6/3/2015 – Amsterdam | The Netherlands

FRESH POSSIBILITIES FOR VIDEO USING NIKKOR LENSES SHOWCASED IN TWO NEW FILMS

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 6th March 2015 – Nikon today announces the NIKKOR Motion Gallery series, featuring two short films from professional film studios and the first in a series of interviews with NIKKOR lens designers. The clips illustrate how NIKKOR technology is enabling artists to push the boundaries with film, and they add to the wealth of content already hosted on the NIKKOR website, built to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the NIKKOR brand. Continue Reading »

One of the new upgrades, to be released in mid-April 2015, will add an image-quality setting to the XF205 and XF200 camcorders that facilitates the recording of video with noise reduction even in low-light conditions.

The firmware upgrade to be released in late-June 2015 will enable the XF205 and XF200 camcorders to support video streaming over an IP network, a method that is widely used in the broadcasting industry to send and receive video signals.

By sending video over the internet while it is being captured, users will be able to provide live transfers of footage to news programs and video-sharing sites.

In addition, the upgrade will enable the camcorders to be used with Fujitsu’s video transmission equipment, the Fujitsu Network IP-900IID and IP-920D HD/SD Compact Video Decoders3 as well as software supporting IP streaming.

Soon, users will be able to stream video over an IP network without having to alter existing video-capture and editing workflows, such as those employed at broadcasting stations.

MELVILLE, N.Y., March 4, 2015 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced today two free firmware upgrades1 that the company will make available for the Canon XF205 and XF200 Professional Full HD camcorders (released in July 2014), one of which adds a new image-quality setting to the camcorder and another that enables the streaming of video over an IP network. Continue Reading »

This is the first time that Sony has offered the FREE Sony Imaging PRO support programme in Europe to certain professional photographers using α camera equipment, applications for which can now be submitted at the following links, with the programme going fully live in Germany on 1 April 2015:

Sony Imaging PRO Support launches in Germany

Press Release • Mar 04, 2015 08:00 GMT

3rd March, 2015

Initially announced at Photokina 2014, Professional photographers in Germany can benefit from valuable help and extra peace of mind with the launch of Sony Imaging PRO Support. This is the first time that Sony have offered this service in Europe, applications for which can be submitted from today with the programme going fully live on 1st April 2015.

There’s no membership fee for the service that’s offered to professional photographers[i] who own at least two Sony α camera bodies and three Sony α lenses from the qualifying list detailed in this release. Continue Reading »

Sony Canada just announced the following new α E-mount lenses and converters:

Four new ‘FE’ full-frame E-mount lenses designed to complement the α7 camera lineup, which include:

ZEISS® Distagon T* FE 35mm F1.4 ZA wide angle lens,

FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS lens,

FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS hi-magnification zoom lens and

FE 28mm F2 wide angle prime lens.

Two sets of new ultra-wide and fisheye converters:

One set exclusive for the new full-frame FE 28mm F2 lens.

SEL075UWC Ultra-wide Converter

SEL057FEC Fisheye Converter

Another set for use with existing 16mm (SEL16F28) and 20mm (SEL2028) APS-C E-mount lenses.

VCL-ECU2 Ultra Wide APS-C Converter

VCL-ECF2 Fisheye APS-C Converter

In addition to the new lenses and converters, Sony has just released a software update for select FE full-frame E-mount lenses, including the following lenses, to shorten start up time when mounted on α E-mount camera bodies:

This video presents See how Sony’s lenses are keeping up with new sensor technologies.

Sony expands its range of full-frame α E-mount lenses with four new lenses and two full-frame converters. These lenses are developed to make the most of our ever improving sensor technologies.

PRESS RELEASE

Sony Introduces a Variety of New Lenses for Acclaimed α E-Mount Camera System

4 Mar, 2015 21:07 CET

New Models include 4 ‘FE’ Full-Frame Lenses and 4 Lens Converters

TORONTO, Ontario – March 4, 2015 – Sony Electronics, a worldwide leader in digital imaging, has today announced several new α E-mount lenses and converters, building upon the rapid expansion of their popular mirrorless camera system.

In addition, two sets of new ultra-wide and fisheye converters have been announced, one set exclusive for the new full-frame FE 28mm F2 lens and another set for use with existing 16mm (SEL16F28) and 20mm (SEL2028) APS-C E-mount lenses .

“These new high-quality lenses are a great example of the evolution of our α mount camera system,” said Todd Toyoda, Director of Digital Imaging at Sony Canada. “With a rapidly expanding system of over 60 total lenses and a variety of the most unique, innovative camera bodies in market today, we are in a great position to build on our positive momentum and bring the power of Sony α to more customers than ever.” Continue Reading »

Sebastian Errazuriz, a Chilean artist who works in Brooklyn, NY, designed and made “12 Shoes for 12 Lovers” on a MakerBot Replicator 2X Experimental 3D Printer. Errazuriz talks about his design process and what 3D printing offers to future generations of artists and designers.

MakerBot, a global leader in desktop 3D printing, just announced its newest offering, the MakerBot® Starter Lab, to the marketplace, designed to get a school or organization’s 3D printing capabilities up and running quickly and efficiently to accelerate innovation among its users.

Available as a single purchase, the MakerBot Starter Lab includes MakerBot Replicator® 3D Printers, a MakerBot Digitizer™ Desktop 3D Scanner, MakerBot MakerCare® Protection Plans for all hardware, a supply of parts and materials, and a custom-­tailored, on-site MakerBot Learning workshop.

BROOKLYN, N.Y., March 4, 2015 — The New Media Consortium Horizon Report 2015, Higher Education
edition, recently identified one of its top trends in education as advancing cultures of change and innovation. MakerBot sees the adoption of desktop 3D printing in the classroom as a way to create a culture of innovation, stimulate creativity, and prepare the leaders of tomorrow. MakerBot, a global leader in desktop 3D printing, today announced its newest offering, the MakerBot® Starter Lab, to the marketplace, designed to get a school or organization’s 3D printing capabilities up and running quickly and efficiently to accelerate innovation among its users. Continue Reading »

The product design of the two award-winning Leica cameras was “born of a collaboration with AUDI Design.”

Leica T: Jury-Statement

This Leica T camera has succeeded in combining typical brand value with progressive and contemporary elements. The shape is reliably clean and geometric – developed in collaboration with Audi Design – and the high quality shell, made of one single piece of aluminum as well as the extremely reduced design typical of Leica is totally inspiring.

…Reduced to only the essential camera features, the Leica M Edition 60 is the first digital camera to concentrate exclusively on the bare functions required for digital photography – shutter speed, aperture, focusing and ISO sensitivity. Stainless steel – a material that is extremely difficult to work with – has been employed for the visible metallic elements of the camera and lens.

2015 iF DESIGN AWARD WINNER: THE LEICA T SCOOPS iF GOLD AWARD

Leica Camera AG, Wetzlar, has received awards for two of its products at this year’s iF DESIGN AWARD ceremony. The iF Gold Award in the Audio/Video category of the Product discipline went to the Leica T camera and the Leica M Edition 60 was chosen for a further design award in the same category. The product design of the two award-winning Leica cameras was born of a collaboration with AUDI Design.

NEWARK, NJ (MARCH 3, 2015) – Reinventing its business model for long-term growth, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) has announced the creation of a cutting-edge broadcast solutions package, and a significant expansion of in-house television production capabilities. The initiatives are designed to transform NJPAC into a world-class broadcast center located in the proximity of New York City that will generate new revenue streams at a fraction of the cost. The summer’s number one reality show – NBC-TV’s America’s Got Talent, will be among the first networks to use the new state-of-the-art technology when they film auditions for another exciting season at NJPAC, March 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7, taping two shows each day.

NJPAC Broadcast Operations: NJPAC image

Additions to NJPAC’s broadcast production, operation and technical presentation functions were accomplished in collaboration with its business partner, and Newark neighbor, Panasonic Enterprise Solutions Company, a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America. Continue Reading »

Current and potential new X-Series customers can have the opportunity to enjoy the experience of using an X-Series camera or lens for a limited time during a special event, a weekend getaway, or just for fun while out taking pictures.

Customers can also take advantage of the program to try a specialty lens or a different camera for a new photo shoot or project.

Fujifilm Professional Repair Rental program to provide access to familiar X-Series camera bodies and lenses while your camera or lens is being repaired for uninterrupted workflow (discounted rates will apply).

FUJINON XF lenses

Please note that the above programs are effective March 16, 2015.

Award-winning X-Series equipment rentals that can be shipped anywhere in the United States, including a customer’s destination for easier travel.

One Price Shipping in the United States (additional charges for Alaska and Hawaii apply).

[Super Charging and Cord Free]
The devices work with any wireless pad available in the market that supports WPC and PMA standards. They also support incredibly fast wired charging, providing up to 4 hours of usage after only 10 minutes of charging.

“With the all new Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge, Samsung is offering what’s next in mobility, along with a new standard to drive the global mobile agenda,” said JK Shin, CEO and Head of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. “By listening to our customers, and learning from both our success and missteps, we continuously push forward new technologies and ideas. With a reimagined design, robust partner network and novel services, the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge offer users the ultimate experience in smartphone options.” Continue Reading »

Security expert Raj Samani of McAfee tells us what the main threats are to mobile users, and how you can protect yourself.
Raj tells us why the growing threat of malware on mobile devices isn’t even the main threat facing users, and which crucial app permissions to look out for.
Raj also tells us why he thinks the mobile is even more vulnerable than a computer, and why the biggest threat to mobile security is the Bacardi Breezer.
Watch our exclusive interview to learn what are the most important security features that you can install before a security breach happens to you.

At this year’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Intel Security just announced its VirusScan Mobile technology will be pre-installed on all Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge smartphones worldwide. The availability of this anti-malware technology on these devices will allow Galaxy S6 users to experience a more secure online mobile experience.

Intel Security to Protect Galaxy S6 Smartphones

Anti-malware technology to be pre-installed on customers’ devices globally

Mobile World Congress, BARCELONA, Spain — March 2, 2015 – Intel Security today announced that Samsung will be providing Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge smartphone users with a security solution to help keep them safe from a growing number of mobile threats. For the first time, Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge will be pre-installed with VirusScan Mobile technology. With this agreement, customers’ Galaxy S6 devices will be protected by anti-malware technology that provides users with a more secure online mobile experience. Continue Reading »

Quantum mechanics tells us that light can behave simultaneously as a particle or a wave. We have never been able to directly observe both of these aspects of light at the same time: we either see it as a stream of particles or as a wave, but never both at the same time. However, scientists at EPFL have now succeeded in capturing the first-ever snapshot of this dual behavior of light.

Fabrizio Carbone and his research team at EPFL used electrons to visualize a “fingerprint of the wave-nature of light.” The experiment is explained in the following video:

It’s not everyday that you get to capture an amazing lenticular cloud but that’s just what photographer Nuno Serrão did while shooting the rare angular conjunction of Mars and Venus below a crescent moon. The dramatic scene was illuminated from the bottom by the setting Sun.

Nikon ups the ante with their newest affordable full-frame DSLR, the Nikon D750. It features some of the most advanced features on its high-end full-frame DSLRs in an affordable, weather-resistant body. The D750 features 24.3MP on a FX-format CMOS sensor, 6.5fps burst, ISO 100-12800, 51 point AF system, dual card slots, Full HD (1080p) video at 60/50/30/25/24p with stereo sound, a tiltable LCD and built-in Wi-Fi.

The Fujifilm X100T is a compact premium rangefinder-styled digital camera with drop-dead gorgeous retro looks. Under the hoods of this beautifully-designed digital camera, there is a quality 35mm [equiv.] F2 Fujinon lens, an APS-C X-Trans sensor and an image processing CPU engine that all work together to capture outstanding image quality rivaling the top end DSLRs. This Third regeneration of the X100 adds significant improvements to the hybrid viewfinder and fixes some of the irksome issues in the previous models.

The Panasonic Lumix GM5 is ultra compact but accepts interchangeable lenses on a Micro Four Thirds mount, and delivers excellent DSLR-level image quality and performance. It features a high resolution EVF, is fully-featured and is customizable to the way you like to work.

The Sigma dp2 Quattro improves on the dp1 series cameras in terms of performance but has chosen to still keep it basically a no-frills camera. It features 29MP resolution on an APS-C (23.5 x 15.7 mm) Foveon X3 Quattro sensor with Contrast-detect AF, a large and bright 3.0-in. LCD (920k-dot), PASM and RAW. In fact, you need to shoot in RAW and carefully post process to bring out the unique image flavor so prized by fans of the Foveon sensor.

FUNDAMENTALSIf you are new to digital cameras, first read up on Digital Camera Fundamentals to understand the important features you should pay special attention to when comparing digital cameras.

BUYER'S GUIDEWe have taken the mystery out of the selection process in our Digital Camera Buyer's Guide. Here, you'll find the best digital cameras in four categories. Select the digital camera that is right for you in 4 simple steps.

TUTORIALSAfter you have bought your digital camera, go through our Digital Photography Tutorials for some tried and tested tips on taking good pictures. You can take better pictures. We plan to regularly add new articles covering a wide range of subjects to this section.